It is a reversible method of birth control given only by prescription.

Advantages of Depo-Provera:

Does not interfere with sex.

Only need to get a shot 4 times a year.

May stop menses or make them very light.

Excellent alternative for women 35 and older who smoke.

Reduces the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer.

Disadvantages of Depo-Provera:

Irregular or unpredictable bleeding or spotting.

Possible hair loss.

Weight gain, especially right after pregnancy.

It may delay your chances of getting pregnant after the shots are stopped. It can take between six and eighteen months for menstruation and ovulation to return consistently. This does not mean that you are protected from pregnancy during this time. Use alternate protection, such as condoms.

Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (see warning below).

You must go to the clinic or doctor's office 4 times a year.

How Do I Decide?

Is getting a shot a problem for you?

Do you have any medical problems that will prevent you from taking Depo-Provera?

Do you have liver disease, breast cancer or blood clots in your arms, legs or lungs?

Do you have sex frequently or not very often, if not very often do you want extra
hormones in your body all the time?

Does this method fit with your religious, or moral beliefs?

Is the Depo-Provera shot the best decision for you?

Do you want to discuss this method with your clinician, family planning clinic staff,
husband, partner, friend, or family member?

In the Philadelphia area, click here for a list of local family planning clinics. Outside of Philadelphia, please click here for a clinic near you.

An emergency contraceptive method used after sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy.

Is most effective when used within 12 hours of unprotected intercourse or contraceptive accident.

ECP can be used up to 72 hours or three days after unprotected sex.

ECP only works if a woman is not already pregnant.

Interferes with egg development.

Prevents or delays ovulation.

Inhibits fertilization.

Advantages of ECP or Emergency Contraceptive Pills:

Only method of contraception used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.

Only method used to prevent pregnancy after male condom slipped, broke, or leaked.

Only method used to prevent pregnancy after a woman's diaphragm or cervical cap was inserted incorrectly, removed too early, or found to be torn.

Only method used to prevent pregnancy after a woman has missed one or more of oral contraceptives.

Only method used to prevent pregnancy when a female condom was inserted or
removed incorrectly.

Method may be obtained ahead of time from a family planning clinician to be used when needed. Plan B, a brand name for ECP, is also available at a pharmacy. Women and men who are 18 or older can now purchase Plan B over the counter with proof of age. In most states, including Pennsylvania, women 17 or under will still need a prescription from a clinician for Plan B or other ECP methods.

Disadvantages of ECP or Emergency Contraceptive Pills:

Does not work if already pregnant.

Limited time frame (ECP must be used within 72 hours or three days after unprotected sex). Is not an ongoing method of contraception.

Nausea occurs in 23% to 50 % of women who use this method (medications to prevent nausea are available).

Vomiting occurs in 5 to 25% of women who use this method (medications to prevent vomiting are available).

Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy may be a possible result.

ECP changes the amount, duration, and timing of the next menstrual period in about 10 to 15% of women treated.

There is still a chance of pregnancy. If menstrual cycle does not start in 7 days, consider pregnancy and contact your family planning clinician.

Does not provide protection from sexually transmitted diseases.

How do I decide?

Do you want to be pregnant?

Do you understand that there is a possibility of pregnancy after taking ECP?

Do you have unprotected sex frequently?

Is 72 hours enough time for you to make a decision and get ECP?

Does this method fit with your religious or moral beliefs?

Do you want to discuss this method with your clinician, family planning clinic staff, husband, partner, friend, or family member?

For more information about ECP, check out Not-2-Late.com, 1-888-NOT-2-LATE or 1-800-330-1271. In the Philadelphia area, click here for a list of local family planning clinics. Outside of Philadelphia, please click here for a clinic near you. Visit ec.princeton.edu to see the list of resources.

Six capsules containing synthetic hormones inserted under the skin of your upper arm.

Capsules slowly release hormones into the bloodstream over a 5-year period.

These hormones stop the ovaries from releasing an egg each month.

Hormones also thicken mucus in the cervix (opening to the uterus), stopping sperm from entering it.

Reversible method of birth control.

Advantages of Norplant:

Long term method can stay in for 5 years.

After 12 to 18 months of using this method, periods usually stop.

Can be removed anytime, and the woman can become pregnant right away.

Does not interfere with sex.

Reduces risk of ovarian or endometrial cancer.

Disadvantages of Norplant:

You may experience spotting between periods, light periods, longer periods, or no
periods.

You may experience weight gain and hair loss.

It is expensive anywhere between $500 and $700 depending on where you go (at a Title X Federally supported family planning clinic fees are based on family size and income, so fees could range from $0 to $700).

It requires minor surgery for insertion and removal of the capsules (done in the clinic or doctor's office).

Effectiveness is lowered by most antiseizure medications.

How do I decide?

Is having a small scar and having the capsules in your body a problem for you?

Do you have any medical problems such as breast cancer, liver, or heart disease that will prevent you from using this method?

Does this method fit with your religious or moral beliefs?

Do you have sex frequently or not very often? If not very often, do you want extrahormones in your body all the time?

Is the Norplant method best for you?

Do you want to discuss this method with your clinician, family planning clinic staff,
husband, partner, friend, or family member?

In the Philadelphia area, click here for a list of local family planning clinics. Outside of Philadelphia, please click here for a clinic near you.

The NuvaRing is a comfortable, flexible contraceptive ring that is about two inches in diameter and contains synthetic low dose hormones (progestin and estrogen); these hormones are similar to those produced by a women’s body.

The NuvaRing is placed directly into the vagina; hormones are released from the ring and are directly absorbed through the walls of the vagina then distributed into the bloodstream.

Pregnancy is prevented because the ring prevents the ovaries from producing mature eggs.

The ring is a reversible method of birth control available only by prescription.

Advantages of NuvaRing

Does not interfere with sex. Ability to remove the ring at leisure.

No need to remember to put it on daily/weekly. Month long protection (3 weeks in, 1 week out)

Exact positioning of the NuvaRing is not critical; however the ring should be placed high in the vault of the vagina.

Muscles within the vagina allow the ring to stay in place during sex and/or exercise.